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Chapter Fifteen
Erik looked up as a sound resonated through the lair. Someone was inside his labyrinth! He disappeared into the shadows and made his way toward them, his hand firmly on his rope which was attatched to his belt. Whoever had made their way into his domain would pay the price.
Charlotte continued down the hall, calling out Joshua's name softly. It was still only early, most of the other girls were still asleep.
'Joshua,' she called. 'Angel,' she said softly. She had come to the end of a corridor and was about to turn back when she saw there was a panel in the wall that was open slightly
She frowned and held the lantern closer to get a better look. A secret compartment perhaps. It wasn't that far from the bathroom, perhaps Joshua had gotten lost. She shone the light inside, seeing it led to a long corridor.
With a soft sigh, she knew she had to go inside and with only a final glance behind, she moved forward.
'Ang..' Joshua cried, running after the cat. There was only a little bit of light and he could just make her out in the dark.
Erik could hear footsteps and pressed against the wall, his cloak making him disappear into the shadows. He'd wait until this trespasser was beside him before he could finish him off.
He looked down when he saw a cat run past him and paused. A cat? How had that gotten in? And it had looked just like...
He held his breath when he heard the footsteps getting closer and then he heard a voice. 'Ang..' he heard the slurred voice.
Joshua! How had he gotten inside? Obviously he was chasing his cat. With a tiny sigh, he hooked his rope onto his belt and emerged from the shadows just as Joshua was about to run past.
He gasped in slight fear before he looked up at Eriks face, remembering the mask. 'Ohh,' he said softly, staring up at him. He had been startled but now he knew who it was, he smiled up at him
'Hello Joshua,' Erik said, surprised when he saw no fear on the boys face. 'I can take you back to Charlotte,' he said gently.
Joshua shook his head. 'Angg,' he said softly.
'Angel,' Erik sighed. 'Alright, we shall find her and then we must return,' he said before they continued down the corridor together.
They found Angel by the lake, looking at the water in obvious distain.
'Anggg,' Joshua cried, running from Erik and picked up the cat. Angel purred as he held her.
Erik smiled at the boys obvious happiness. He knew the boy hadn't been afraid of him, he could tell. He hadn't even been afraid of the mask, but then he hadn't seen what was underneath.
He watched as Joshua hugged the cat tightly and the animal purred happily. He smiled slightly before he knew they had to go back. 'Come Joshua, we must return,' he said. 'Your sister will be looking for you shortly, if she isn't already,'
Joshua nodded and moved back to where Erik stood and surprised him when he gave him a hug that he knew was of thanks.
Erik was slightly taken back. 'You're welcome,' he said softly, unsure of what else to say. 'We better go,' he added and together, they headed back up to the Opera House.
Charlotte continued down the dark corridor, reaching a round stairwell. She wasn't sure exactly where she was, there were so many corridors, walkways here. With only the lantern to guide her, she continued down the stairs. 'Joshua,' she called into the darkness.
She didn't hear anything except the echo of her voice. She thought she should go back or else she would get lost in here. She turned around to head back when the walkway she stood on opened up and sent her falling into the water below with a splash, her scream echoing through the labyrinth.
Erik looked up when he heard the woman scream echo through the darkness and then the splash of water. 'Charlotte,' he cried, knowing what must have happened.
'Joshua, sit down and stay here,' he told the boy seriously.
Joshua simply nodded, sitting down on the stone step, Angel in his lap and he watched as Erik disappeared into the darkness.
Charlotte screamed as her body hit the freezing water. She was only wearing a white nightgown and it had soaked right through immediately. She swam to the surface, looking around when she heard a soft creak.
She looked up, seeing a grate above her start to slowly move toward her. Oh god, it was going to trap her under water!
She screamed a plea of help, doubting anyone would hear her. She looked around frantically trying to find a way to escape.
She saw a small round mechanism toward the bottom of the tank and she went under water to it, trying to push it but it wouldn't budge.
She quickly moved back to the surface, gasping for breath. The grate was nearly upon her and she gave another plea for help before the grate hit the surface of the water, forcing her under water.
Oh god, she was going to die! Joshua! What would happen to Joshua! Who would care for him if she were gone?
She tried again to push the wheel but it wouldn't move. Letting out a soft sob, the grate suddenly stopped moving and then started to go back up.
She would have cried in relief but concentrated on holding her breath as black spots danced in front of her eyes.
The grate rose above the water and she swam toward the surface. She had swallowed water and coughed it up as she tried to get some air into her oxygen-starved lungs.
She felt two gloved hands pull her out of the water and onto land again. The black spots threatened to engulf her and the last thing she saw before slipping into unconsciousness was the flash of a white mask
Okay, yes a cliffhanger! Please don't throw anything that might knock me unconcious as it would be stop me from writing more ;) Hope you all enjoyed
Review responses
KitsuneRW - Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed
Southerncrossgirl - Thanks for reviewing, this week has been hectic. Hopefully I can get the chapters out a little sooner. Thanks for reading
surf with music - Well she did "meet" him in this chapter just very briefly. Hope you enjoyed. I spellcheck and read through but I always notice small things after I posted. Sorry! Thanks for reviewing
Priestess of Anubis - Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter. Thanks for reviewing
fluffy-bubbles - I know, I hate short chapters when I'm reading a story but sometimes they are a necessary evil due to writers block, filler chapters or just fun. This chapter was a little longer but some action here! Hope you enjoyed
Vagrant Candy- Hmm, I can't imagine life without indoor plumbing and I dont want to subject my characters to anything else. lol. Thanks for pointing that out, I guess and obvious slip on my count. Thanks for the review.
Shelvins - Thanks for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. I didn't want to rush this and have Erik meet Charlotte after Chapter 2. I think Erik would have been shattered and very reluctant to have any contact with anyone, let alone a woman and it would be unrealistic for them to just meet. I've read too many phics like that and they are unrealistic. I didn't want this to be one of them. Thanks for reviewing
trallgorda - More has been added! lol Thanks for reading and reviewing, I hope this cliffhanger isn't too bad...
Thanks everyone, am looking forward to the reviews for this one. Thanks again!